Apparatus for the solution of gold



UNITED STATES ATENT EEICE.

STEPHEN H. EMMENS, OF HARRISON, NVEV YORK.

APPARATUS FOR THE SOLUTION OF GOLD, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,379, dated June 1'7, 1890.

Application tiled September-2, 1889. Serial No. 322,672. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN HENRY EM- MENs, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Harrison, in the county of Testchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Solution of Gold and other Substances; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is primarily intended for the simplification and cheapening of the treatment of auriferons ores, gravels, and cement by chlorination; but it is also applicable for solution and filtration in general; and it consists in the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The accompanying` drawings shows my improved apparatus.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the same when used for chlorination and solution. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the cover required for filtration, and Fig. 3 is a plan of the said cover.

The body of the apparatus consists ot a cylinder l,with trunnions 2 for supporting and revolving the same, such revolution being effected by means of handspikes inserted into holes or sockets 3 in the trunnions. The cylinder has a Wooden lining 4 and two heads, one of which 5 has a central orifice closed by a screw-plug 6, carrying` a block of wood 7, fitting in a corresponding hole through the bottom of the wood lining et, while the other head 8 is dished to an extent corresponding to the depth of the filtration-head 9, and has an exterior central tube 10, closed by a screwcap 11, having an exterior central tube 12, fitted with a valve 13. The filter-head 9 consists of a fianged ring 14 with an interior shoulder l5. On this shoulder rests a perforated disk 16 of wood or othersuitable material, on which is placed the filter-bed 17 of sand or other suitable substance, the whole being kept in place by a second perforated disk 1S, secured by metal catches 19, revolving on bolts tapped into the fiange of the head. The top fiange 26 of the body, the head 8, and the filter-head 9 have notches 20 instead of perforations for the reception of the bolts required for affixing them to the body.

The operation of the apparatus when used for the chlorination of auriferous ores is as follows: The head 8 and the' top 21 of the lining 4 are removed and the plug 6 is loosened, so as to partly withdraw the block 7, thus leaving a socket in the bottom of the Vessel. In this socket a piece of ordinary iron tubing is held upright, so as to form a core, and the vessel is then filled as high as the top of the Wooden lining with a mixture of the ore and chloride of lime. The top lining 2l and head 8 are then placed in position and tightly fastened to the cylinder by means of bolts in the notches 20. A mixture of sulphuric acid and water is then poured in through the central core-tube, which extends up through the tube 10. When the apparatus is nearly filled, the core-tube is withdrawn, the plug 6 is ,tightened, and a further quantity of acidified water is added until the vessel is full. The cap 11 is then screwed on, and the apparatus is allowed to stand for a time sufficient for the solution of the whole of the contained gold. Then this is effected, the head 8 is removed and replaced by the filter-head 9. The apparatus is then reversed and the plug 6 with the block 7 removed, and the gold-containing liquid drains off into asuitable tank or trough placed under the apparatus to receive it, after which it is treated by precipitation with ferrous sulphate, sulphureted hydrogen, or charcoal in the ordinary way. The last portion of the liquid is expelled by washing with Water introduced through the central orifice in the head 5. Vhen the filtration is finished,

the apparatus is again reversed and the fil.

ter-head removed, after which the exhausted ore is dumped out and the apparatus is then ready for another charge. If it be desired to expedite the filtration, the same may be effected by injecting steam or compressed air through a nozzle,y which screws into the central orifice in the head 5. For solution under heat and pressure, the apparatus may be employed by placing it, duly charged, With the head 8 downward, and then injecting steam by means of a nozzle screwing into the central orifice in the head 5 In cases Where the fil- IOO tering medium is of no substantial thickness the head S and head 9 need not be dished, and for small laboratory work the trunnions may be dispensed with.

Having thus described my invention and the manner in which it may be carried into effect, I claim- The chlorination apparatus consisting of an invertible vessel having removable heads, in combination with a filter-head interchangeable with one of said heads.

2. The chlorination apparatus consisting of an invertible vessel having removable heads, one being provided with a tubular extension adapted to permit the temporary insertion ot a sore-forming pipe, and the other provided with an opening fitted with a plug, in combination With a lter-head interchangeable with one of said heads.

3. A combined solution and filtration apparatus consisting,` of an invertible vessel havwith a filter-head interchangeable with one of 3o said heads.

5. The chlorination apparatus consisting of a vessel mounted on trunnions and having a removable filter-head composed of a metal rim and two perforated disks of rigid mate- 35 rial with ltering material interposed.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence ot' two Witnesses.

STEPHEN II. EMMENS. Vitnesses:

N EWToN W. EMMENS, T. J MC/'FIGHE 

